xxxxxTo honor their ancestors and to renew associations once again ninety-seven members of the McKay family gathered for their annual reunion in the Front Royal Country Club Rooms on Sunday, October 8, 1951.

xxxxxAfter greetings were exchanged and a bountiful repast had been consumed, the meeting was called to order by President, John Rust, of Fairfax.

xxxxxEach member responded to Roll Call with a short resumee of his line of ancestry stemming from the original Robert McKay, who with Joist Hite, was so instrumental in settling in the year 1732, the Shenandoah Valley on the western side of the Blue Ridge Mountains.

xxxxxPrizes were distributed to both the older set and the younger folk. Mr. Deering McKay, of Washington, D. C., generously donated to the very young crowd, a combination swing and play-pen.

xxxxxOfficers were elected for the ensuing year as follows: President, Mrs. Lucy McKay, of Severna PArk, Md.; Vice-President, Mr. John Rust, of Fairfax, Va.; Secretary and Treasurer, Mrs. Elizabeth W. McKay, of Luray, and Mrs. Margaret Brown, of Bedford, Va., Assistant Secretary and Treasurer.

xxxxxWith the conclusion of the business session, the meeting was turned over to the speaker of the day, Mrs. Lucy McKay Ray.

xxxxxMrs. Ray gave a most interesting, informal talk on Old Wills and Deeds which she had collected during the year. Her pertinent remarks added greatly to the occasion, as she brought in anecdotes connected with the writing of the family documents. Also read, were marriage ceremonies, one of the quaintest being that of the Quaker Faith when Jane Ridgway and Andrew McKay were united in the Holy Bond of matrimony, unmistakably united, the Quakers being as they were in the year of 1760.

xxxxxIt was planned to incorporate the Wills, Deeds and Wedding Ceremonies in a book separate and distinct from the four volumes which the clan historian, Hunter B. McKay of Boston, Mass., has compiled on the history of the McKay family.

xxxxxIt was learned that Mr. Hunter McKay has agreed to donate his vast amount of genealogical data to the University of Virginia, for the convenience and reference of the McKay descendants, and in the interest of the State of Virginia.

xxxxxA vote of thanks was tendered President John Rust for his untiring efforts on behalf of the McKay Clan and the erection of the State marker on the highway at Nineveh, Virginia, where the first McKay, Robert, settled in 1732.

(Webmaster's note: As stated elsewhere in this website the house being mentioned here is the Robert Mackay Jr. house, not the Robert Mackay Sr. house. The sign is slightly incorrect in its reference to Robert Sr. concerning this particular house. MLM)

xxxxxAppreciation was expressed to both Mrs. Lucy McKay Ray for her fine work, and to Mr. Deering McKay for his continued encouragement and zeal.

(Webmaster's note: His name should be spelled as 'Dearing' not 'Deering'. MLM)

xxxxxHearty thanks went to Mrs. Isabelle McKay Brockman for her loyalty and efficiency as Secretary and Treasurer to the food and table arrangement committee; and to all others who, by their interest and work, have made the family gatherings occasions to be remembered with such pleasure.

xxxxxFollowing further discussion of family matters and the decision reached to meet again, in October 1952, the meeting was adjourned. But . . .

Should auld acquaintance be
xxxxxforgot
And ne'er brought to mind?
Not while there breathes the
xxxxxname, McKay--

The Scotch are a clannish kind.

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